Tennis legend Andre Agassi recently criticised Jannik Sinner following his shocking second-round exit at Roland Garros.
Sinner crashed out in his second match at the French Open to Juan Manuel Cerundolo, despite being within a game of closing out a win.
The world number one led Cerundolo by two sets and was 5-1 up in the third, but his level quickly dropped as he struggled with physical issues, which allowed the Argentine back into the match.
How concerned are you about Jannik Sinner’s physical issues going forward in his career?
Speaking on TNT Sports, Agassi claimed Sinner had a ‘flaw’ in his preparation and said: “It’s got to be some form of a hydration issue.”
Responding to the eight-time major champion, former British player Greg Rusedski suggested he was not in agreement.
Greg Rusedski discusses Jannik Sinner’s physical issues
In an episode of ‘Off Court with Greg‘, Rusedski said: ‘It’s a good discussion point. The facts of the matter are, Andre said one thing, this guy can play five hours and 50 minutes in the longest final in French Open history in the men’s, but then an hour and 45 minutes he gives away.
“From my point of view, if you’re not in the team, if you’re not the physical trainer, the coaches, and he’s got a great team of people like Vagnozzi, Darren Cahill, his trainer he’s had for a long time that’s done a fantastic job.
“We talked about a virus at the beginning of the year. And for me, I think he doesn’t want to tell everybody he’s been struggling with a virus. I don’t believe that after an hour and 45 minutes has to do with preparation and a four-to-one ratio on protein hydration.
“Come on, this guy is anal-retentive. He does everything by the book. Look what happened to Arnaldi. He had to pull out of the semifinals due to a virus.
Which loss was more surprising, Aryna Sabalenka or Jannik Sinner?
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“We had rumours in Australia that Sinner had a virus when he lost to Novak. He’s been struggling with his health. And look what happened to Emma Raducanu. How long has she been with that virus going as well? So punchy words, we’re all allowed to have our opinions.
“But I’d love to speak to somebody else by the name of Darren Cahill. And I’m sure Andre will do that. I’m sure Darren will give him a ring.
“So it’s interesting to hear his opinion because everything he said is correct. But we don’t know the truth of the matter because we’re not inside the team.”
Greg Rusedski thinks Jannik Sinner will consider Andre Agassi’s words
Asked how Sinner will respond to Agassi’s comments, Rusedski said: “Well, Sinner is so balanced.
“He only trusts the team around him. I remember when he had the case last year, when he was three months away. He didn’t bat an eyelid.
“He came back, he made the finals of Rome, the finals of the French Open, and then won Wimbledon.
“This guy is nails upstairs. So his team, and I’m sure Darren, they’ll take into consideration what Andre had said.
“But they know the truth of the matter. But it does make a great talking point. But I kind of like to give the benefit to the team that’s around him. And he’s got a fantastic team of people around him.”
Sinner will now set his sights on the grass season, where he will defend his maiden Wimbledon championship.
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